The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-21
ROME AND THE REBELLION.

Plus ks Letter to JEFF Davis-The COnfed-
eracy Recognized by the Pope.
Washington Special to Chicago News
For twenty five years it has been charged and
denied. and denied and charged, that the Vatl-
can was in sympathy with the South during the
war. In his political history of the rebellion
Mcpherson, who in matters of doubt. always
and naturally leans to the Northward, says that
the church took no official action, although Arch
bishop Lynch went to Rome agent of the
Confederacy He also gives letter from Cardl-
nal Antonelli, addressed to A. Dudley Mann, j.
NJ Mason and John Slidell, commissioners
of the Confederate States of America, ac-
knowledging on behalf of the Pope the receipt
of a manifesto from Jefferson Davis, and
expressing the hope of the Pope that war be-
tween the States may be speedily terminated.
This is all can find in history on the subject,
beyond numerous general assertions and dehiais
that the Pope did officially recognize the confed-
crate government and give jefferson Davis his
august blessing That Davis sought the same
has never been disputed. and that he received 1T
has been claimed by nearly ali the historical
writer's the confederate side. High function
aries of the church have repeatedly denied that
the pontifcal benedlction was ever pronounced
upon the Confederacy. and their denial has been
accepted as final.
AT the Treasury Department. the other day,
Mr. Critics. of Nebraska the chief OF the di-
vision of captured and abandoned property.
showed me time-worn paper which was found
among the records captured at the time OF the
evacuation of Richmond, which will settle the
controversy forever. It has lain all this time In
the pigeon holes of the deparment. unknown and
unnoticed. while the historians and theologians
have been disputing its existence. Attached TO
it is the following letter OF transmitta
BRUSSELS May g. 1S64-To the President: Here
with have the honor transmit the letter which his
Holiness Pope Plus TX addressed to yonr Excellency
the Sd of December last. MIR. w. Jefferson
Buchanan has obsigingly undertaken its conveyance
and will deliver it to you in the This letter
will the achives of the executive Office in all COM
ing time II will live, too. forever in story as the
production of the first potentate who formally recog-
nzed your official uoitiun aud accorded to one of the
diplomatic representatives of the Confederate States
an audience in an established court palace like that
of ST. James and the Tuileries | have the honor to
be, with the most distinguished consideration your
Exeellencys obedient servant. A. DUDLEY Mann
To his Excelency Jefferson Davis, President q. ).
A.. Richmond.
The letter of the Pope is written upon parch-
ment, in the quaint. ecclesiastical STYLE in Latin
of course. and is addressed as follows: "Illustre
ct Honorable Viro Jefferson Davis, Praesidi
Frd0ratum America Regonnm Richmond. .
Tue following is a translation of the text:
Illustrious and Honorable Sir-Health. We have
received with fitting kindness the gentleman sent by
your Excelency deliver letters bearing date
of the ed of September last. We certainly expert
enced no small pleasure when We learned. from the
same gentleman and the letters of your Excellency
with what emotions of JOY and gratitude toward MS
You were affected illustrious and honorable sir
when were first made acquainted with letters
to that reverend brother. John. Archbishop of New
on the 18th of October last. in which again
and again urged and exhorted the same reverend
brethren that behooved their distinguished
piety and their episcopal charge, they
should most zealously every effort in name
and also bring end to the fatal civil war that had
arisen in these regions, and that these people of
America might at length attain mutual peace and
cord and be reunited in mutual charity And CRATE
full was it lusrious and honorable perceive
| that you and these people animated with the
same feelings of peace and tranquility which
earnestly culeared in the letters mentioned hav-
haop cd TO or hat
rem. Aud would that other people also of these
gons and their rulers seriously considering how griev
| and mournful thing is intestine war-wouid be
| pleased with tranquil minds to embrace and enter
| upon counsels of peace.
We. indeet shall not cease with the most ferveni
PRAYERS to beseech God the omnpotent and all good
to pour out the spirit of Christian charity and
/ upon all the people of America. and deliver them
from the evils great with which they afflicted
/ And of the most mercful Lord of compassion him
self we likewise rray that He may iiunine your Elk
cellency with The light of His grace and conjon you
| in perfect love with ourself.
Given at Rome at st. Peters Dec. 3. in the year
| 1858, and Of our pontfcate The eighteenth.
| PIyrS P. P TX.